An owner wants to build a new home on a vacant lot inside California's coastal zone, in an area where the local government has no certified local coastal program. In addition to local building permits, the owner must obtain a coastal development permit from which state body?
Correct Answer
C) The California Coastal Commission
The Coastal Act (Public Resources Code §30000 et seq.) requires a coastal development permit for development within the coastal zone, which generally extends about 1,000 yards inland from the mean high tide line. Who issues that permit depends on the local coastal program: where a city or county has a certified program, the local government issues the permit and the Coastal Commission hears only appeals; where no certified program is in place, the Commission itself issues the permit. With no certified program for this area, the owner applies to the Coastal Commission on top of the local building permits.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Police power is the government's authority to enact laws and regulations to protect the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. It is the broadest power government has over private property.
Restrictive covenants, also known as CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), are private agreements written into deeds or HOA documents that limit how property can be used. They are enforced by property owners, not the government.
Setback requirements are zoning regulations that specify the minimum distance a building or structure must be set back from property lines, streets, or other boundaries. They ensure adequate light, air, and space between structures.
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